Fisher: Kell and Robinson considered for prosecutor post

By MATT DUNNmdunn@sjnewsco.comBRIDGETON -- Assemblyman Doug Fisher confirmed Thursday that both Tina Kell and Arnold Robinson are being considered for Prosecutor Ron Casella's county prosecutor post.

Casella's term as prosecutor expired this week. His re-appointment, while supported by the majority of law enforcement in the county, does not have the support of the Cumberland County freeholder board.

The freeholder board, with the exception of Freeholder Jane Christy, wrote to Gov. Jon Corzine last month urging that Casella not be re-appointed.

Rumors quickly spread that Kell, county trial chief, and Robinson, a Millville attorney and major financial contributor to the Democratic party, were being considered as potential successors to the prosecutor post.

Fisher said Thursday the rumors were true, adding that Casella has also expressed an interest in being re-appointed.

He said a decision would be made soon, although budget meetings scheduled through May are the Legislature's priority right now.

Casella, appointed county prosecutor in 2003, will remain prosecutor until he is re-appointed or a successor is named by the governor and approved by local senators.

Bitterness stemming from a lawsuit filed against the freeholder board by Casella in 2004 is the reason the freeholders do not support his re-appointment, according to sources close to the situation.

The lawsuit, which the county settled in 2005, alleged the prosecutor's office was under-funded and understaffed.

The settlement resulted in major increases to the office's budget.

Appointing Tina Kell, an experienced attorney who has been with the county prosecutor's office for about 20 years, may be a safer choice than appointing Robinson in regard to public perception.

Robinson contributed almost $30,000 to the Democratic party between 2000 and 2005, with major contributions made to the campaigns of Corzine and state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, while Kell was not a political contributor.

If appointed, Kell would be Cumberland County's first female prosecutor.